The Great Deception: A Meme

 

The Big Picture: God's Plan for Creation Intro

Eternity Chart or The Nutshell History of All Things
Click on the image for the free-to-download image that you can print out for study.

We all have questions—the Who, what, when, where, why, and how questions that seem to plague us all. Questions play an important part in pointing us in the right direction and in giving us focus. There is an art to asking the right questions to get the right answers; an ever-ongoing process of learning.

In trying to understand anything it helps to have an outline of the bigger picture. One can liken this to the idea of building a house. There is much that goes into building a house. First comes the concept. There needs to be in place a clear idea of what you want to accomplish, combined with a plan to bring about the finished goal—a complete house. Architects make drawings 1) to help them visualize their idea; 2) helps determine details, supplies, and processes necessary; and 3) helps them plan and layout guidelines and timelines for everyone involved to follow.

Visuals are important in the process. While it may seem I am trying to reinvent the wheel in designing my own charts, the actual making of them has been extremely informative and helpful in my efforts to understand God's plan for creation. Benefits of making your own charts include the following.

These charts have helped me to develop an organizational structure that works for me, providing a framework for recognizing patterns and relationships in the Bible, and in clarifying my understanding on many levels, while also helping me to retain what I'm learning. In effect they have become a way of training my mind in how to think and in keeping my thoughts focused on the Word. (See Philippians 4:8) It also helps in being always ready to givve an answer to every one that asks me the reason for the hope that is in me. (1 Peter 3:15)  I would highly encourage everyone to make their own charts to clarify in their own minds what they believe.

My mind is being renewed to the Word daily, not only through my studies, but through turning what I am learning into these charts and other graphics that help me visually organize a lot of information. They contribute to the growth of my belief, trust, and faith in God, which in turn helps me to walk in a place of peace the worldly do not and cannot understand. Please note that all charts are works in progress. Links have been provided for access to pdf files of these charts for free. I will be updating them from time to time as I gain in understanding. 

I have been striving to follow the K.I.S.S. principle. Posted directly above my computer is the following graphic to remind me throughout the day to:

The Gospel of Christ, while complex in its entirety, is in reality, simple enough for a child to understand. That's the milk of the Word. I strive to maintain that simplicity and yet, not ignore the complexities involved in a more mature understanding of the Word for those who desire and require strong meat. Whether or not I have done a very good job of balancing those things I will leave to the reader to judge.  

God teaches us 

line upon line, [word upon word, sentence upon sentence, etc.]

precept upon precept, [idea upon idea, concept upon concept]

here a little, there a little [relating facts to facts and to ideas; ideas to ideas across the broader spectrum, showing relationships and building a picture both written and visual]

Each line, precept, and fact building upon and adding to the whole. It is a veritable feast of information and understanding! It's something to get truly excited about!

I enourage you to feast here upon the Word of God, which is our spiritual food, at whatever level you may be on, growing in God's grace and mercy where you are now.  I pray that you be encouraged and strengthened in your walk. I pray that you be filled with an ever increasing desire, understanding, and delight in the Word of God, and that the joy of the Lord will fill you to overflowing.

Some important considerations when desiring to understand the Word of God:   

1.  God is Spirit. The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians chapter 2, verses 11-14:  

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 

 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.    

2. Asking for understanding and wisdom in prayer:

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  Mt 7:7-8 

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.  Mt 21:22 

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.  John 14:13-14 

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  John 15:7 

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  James 1:5-6 

... yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.  James 4:2-3 

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.  1 John 3:22 

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.  1John 5:14-15  (see also Ephesians 1:17-19)

When all else fails, read the Owner's manual!

The Bible: The Owner's Instruction Manual

The Written Word of God is the Owner's instruction manual containing everything we need to know for living abundantly, healthfully, and safely. It answers all the who, what, when, where, why and how questions. It gives us our origin, our identity, our purpose for existence, and guidelines for how to have loving relationships with our Creator and with one another. It teaches us how to live in covenant relationship with our holy Creator. It explains our responsibilities to God and His responsibilities to us. There are duties, if you will, on both sides.

The Word of God explains the who, what, when, where, why and how of keeping or breaking covenant. It clearly explains what 'sin' is and shows us the way of salvation that God has provided for mankind through The Son, Jesus Christ, even before He laid the foundations of the earth. It explains the consequences of breaking covenant with Him; of ignoring His instructions.

The Bible explains what love really is and how to walk in it. It tells us of God's grace, mercy, and compassion for His creation; and how that plays out throughout our lives past, present, and future. It informs us that there has been a rebellion in heaven, which has spread to the earth and affects all of creation, both physically and spiritually. 

It warns us of an enemy of our souls, and enlightens us about that enemy's origins, motivations, goals, and tactics, while also providing us with tools and weapons for fighting and successfully overcoming any and every evil that confronts us. It also assures us that there will be an end to this war and gives us the general timing of that ending and the signs that will indicate when the end is near.

There is a caveat in all of this, a condition if you will. Having made mankind in His own image, God has conferred upon us the freedom to choose whether or not we will avail ourselves of the opportunity to be in covenant relationship with Him. We each get to choose to serve God, or not. God's merciful provision for being restored into covenant relationship with our Creator has only one door, one way of access. Jesus said this:

Be forwarned here:  choices always come with consequences. Always. Those consequences can be considered to fall into only two categories:  rewards for obedience to God's will, plan and purpose, or, penalties for disobedience to His will, plan, and purpose. The Bible often refers to these as blessings or cursings. It behooves each and every one of us to examine and understand these things in order to make an informed intentional choice.

Whose report will you believe? Whom will you choose to serve?

In subsequent posts I will be focusing and taking a closer look at the various parts of the above chart, adding more Scripture references (witnesses) to see if my chart is accurate according to God's Word. I do not want to add to or take away from God's Word. 

Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Revelation  22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Please share your thoughts and what the Spirit of God is teaching you in the comment section below along with any prayer requests.

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